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The big interview: Alpay Ozalan

Let us begin with a story of uncommon politeness, a show of good manners once synonymous with Englishness. Our leading character is Fehmi Alpay Ozalan, a 30-year-old footballer from Izmir in Turkey who is a central defender with Aston Villa. Next Saturday he will play for his country in a very important European Championship match against England in Istanbul.

It is Wednesday afternoon at Aston Villa’s training ground: our first time to meet. He stretches out his hand and effuses a warmth most footballers are loath to show journalists.

“Would you like something to drink?” he asks. “Tea, coffee, water?” “Coffee would be fine.”

“Sit here,” he says. “I will go and bring it.”

He returns two minutes later with the coffee and places it on the table. Before we begin, he wishes to apologise for his poor English. Learning the language has been tough for him, and, afraid that